Nazir-Ali's view of Britain

Over the weekend I struggled to write something on the shortcomings I see in Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali's article in the Sunday telegraph about the demise of Christian Britain and the rise of Islamic fundamentalist no-go areas. In particular I wanted to argue that Christians should celebrate and nurture the presence of all major faiths in this country, and suggest that Nazir-Ali's views seem grounded more in the persecuted churches of his native Pakistan than in Britain today.

Then I saw that the Church Times leader column has beaten me to it, and argued more cogently and concisely than I was able to. The link is free to access this week, but may require subscription afterwards.

Technorati tags: Nazir-Ali, no-go areas, fundamentalism multifaith

Comments

[Mrs Smith]

I also read Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali's article and was pleased to see a clergyman that remembered that he is living off the donations of church goers who think he should be promoting Christianity.
There is much to be alarmed about in the Muslim religion and it’s good to see a priest who has the courage to criticize it.

[Dean Ayres]

Could you elaborate, Mrs Smith. What are you alarmed about in the Muslim religion? I take your suggestion seriously, but don't want to put words in your mouth.

I think it's quite possible to promote Christianity without needing to be ungenerous about the faith of other people. At the same time, I hope I'm gently critical of the way that all faiths, Christianity included, can be used to promote intolerance and injustice.

[Mrs Smith]

Thank you Dean for your invitation to get myself a fatwa. I’ll decline today!